Google’s New Mobile-First Algorithm

Specifically, the algorithm ranks the mobile version of a site first before it ranks the desktop version. If the mobile version is hard to navigate, slow to load, or nonexistent, desktop SEO is not likely to save the site’s search ranking.

Until now, having a mobile site would merely help your website’s ranking. Now your search rank depends on it.

Bottom line: any website that doesn’t have a quality mobile version is going way down in rank.

What Does This Mean For Businesses?

That depends. Anyone who hasn’t paid attention to mobile optimization will likely take a hit.

It will also have a big impact on small businesses that aren’t aiming for a large audience. Many medium-to-low level domains are going to take a huge hit if their mobile site is not up to snuff.

On the other hand, top-level domains will be a little safer. Well-known, well-established sites with tons of visitors will make up for slow mobile sites with excellent content and niche authority. But their rank will still lower a little.

What Can Businesses Do?

Here’s the good news: Google hasn’t left us high and dry. Here are a couple of resources they’ve given to help us during this transition.

The first one is Google’s official mobile-friendliness guide. It tells you exactly what they’re looking for in a mobile site and how you can optimize yours. Following Google’s own rules on the subject is your first step toward high-ranking mobile optimization.

Next, take Google’s mobile-friendliness test to see how well you rank. You can compare different pages on your site to get a better idea of what you need to work on.

Third, go into your Google Webmaster Tools account to get a Mobile Usability Report. This will let you know if your site has any mobile usability errors so you can fix them.

The Best Responsive Websites Win The Search Engine Game

According to Google’s new algorithm, the best responsive websites rank the highest. Have you checked your mobile site lately?

Don’t let your business website get left behind in the dust. Optimize your mobile site and stay ahead of the trend.